The Duffy blood group system: a review

Duffy was the first blood group mapped to an autosome (chromosome 1) using cytogenetic studies. Duffy antigens are located on a glycoprotein that can be found on erythrocytes and other cells throughout the body. Fy(a) and Fy(b) are products of their respective alleles (FY*A, FY*B). Fy(x) characterized by weak Fy(b) expression, is a result of an additional mutation in FY*B. The Fy(a-b-) phenotype, most commonly found in Blacks, occurs primarily as a result of GATA promoter region mutation upstream of the FY allele. This mutation prevents expression of Duffy glycoprotein on erythrocytes only, while permitting expression of nonerythroid cells. Other antigens include Fy3, Fy5, and Fy6. Antibodies to Duffy antigens are usually clinically significant and have been reported to cause hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. This review provides a general overview of the Duffy blood group system, including the role of the Duffy glycoprotein as a chemokine receptor (Duffy antigen receptor for chemokines) and in malarial infection.